"Well, Doctor," spoke he, "maybe you've got it right. But when old Costigan was coroner he always insisted that a body--especially in a case like this--should not be touched until he had looked at it and asked his questions."
"Costigan was romantic," stated Dr. Shower, as he stroked his beard with a firm hand; "he had imbibed a great deal of theoretical detective nonsense, and tried to act up to it. However," with a lifting of one eyebrow, "here I am, so I might as well get to work." He looked about. "Where is the body?"
"In the room just across the hall," said Osborne.
"Just so." Dr. Shower looked at the young man and the young woman. "And these are--?"
"The son and daughter of the murdered man," answered the detective.
"To be sure." Shower smoothed his waistcoat with the same firm gesture. "Of course." Then to the young man: "Am I right in understanding that your father did not reside here?"
The young man laughed suddenly; the sound was unexpected and full of bitterness, and caused Bat Scanlon to look swiftly toward him.
"Yes, you are quite right in that," said the son. "Quite right! My father did _not_ live here."
There was a feeling behind the words that was not to be mistaken; and a slight pucker appeared between the eyes of the assistant coroner which a person well acquainted with him would have told you indicated increasing interest.
"You are reported to have said to the police sergeant," stated Dr. Shower, referring to some memoranda scribbled upon the back of an envelope, "that the relationship between your father and yourself has not been an agreeable one."
"There has been no relationship between my father and myself--none whatsoever--for a number of years."
There was a gleam in the eyes of the speaker and a shaking quality in his voice which showed intense feeling; the thin hand of his sister rested upon his arm for an instant; he looked at her quickly, and then bent over while she whispered something in a tone so low that none of the others could hear a word.
"Very well, Mary," he said. "It's all right. Don't worry."
"What you say being the case," said Dr. Shower, "your father would not be likely to be a frequent visitor."
"We've lived here for five years; he was never here before. Up to last night I had not seen him for at least seven years."